Thousands more patients with Type 1 diabetes will get “artificial pancreas” technology for free thanks to deals secured by England’s public health system.
The National Health Service started rolling out the devices — which release insulin automatically in response to blood sugar levels — to certain patients in April.
More will get access to the devices this year now “cost-effective” deals have been struck with suppliers, NHS officials stated Monday. The body also announced it was giving regional health bodies £14.4 million ($18.9 million) to help them invest in the tech.
Complicated Calculations
Insulin is crucial to the proper absorption of energy from food. The hormone moves sugar from the blood into the other cells of the body. Without it, glucose lingers in the blood, putting people with diabetes at risk of numerous complications, including heart disease, stroke, sight loss and foot disease.
People with Type 1 diabetes do not produce their own insulin and must deliver it themselves via injections or devices called pumps that deliver insulin continuously via a tube.
Calculating the right dose for a meal or to correct high glucose levels can be difficult. Patients must estimate how much carbohydrate is in their food, and take into account factors like their current glucose levels and any exercise they’ve taken (or plan to take).
Hormones, illness and numerous other factors can impact blood sugar levels. Even the temperature can affect how the body uses insulin. So people with Type 1 diabetes often take too much or too little of the hormone, sending their blood sugar levels high or low.
‘Hybrid Closed Loop’ Technology
Sometimes referred to as “artificial pancreas” technology, “hybrid closed loop” systems are made up of an insulin pump, a continuous glucose monitor and an algorithm that works out corrective doses based on glucose levels.
They can help lower overall glucose levels while preventing potentially dangerous low blood sugar incidents. But patients still need to input information like carbohydrate estimates.
“The device detects your glucose levels, transmits the readings to the delivery system, known as the pump, which then initiates the process of determining the required insulin dosage — improving medical care but also enhances the quality of life for those affected,” said NHS Type 1 diabetes and technology lead Professor Partha Kar.
“This is a significant milestone in the national roll out of Hybrid Closed Loop systems, and is fantastic news for many people living with Type 1 diabetes.”
Who Is Eligible For ‘Artificial Pancreas’ Tech?
Around 270,000 people in England have Type 1 diabetes, but not all are currently eligible for the technology. The NHS plans to roll out the technology to many thousands of patients over the next five years.
Children and young people with Type 1 diabetes, as well as people who are pregnant or trying for a baby, are eligible for the technology. Adults struggling to keep their average glucose levels below 58 mmol/mol (7.5%), or who have “disabling” episodes low blood sugar, should also be able to access the tech.
People already using an NHS-funded insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor are eligible for an upgrade, should they want one, Prof Kar recently confirmed to his X followers.
Patients facing objections from their local hospital systems should contact him before giving up, he added.
